The 2006 vintage is special because it marks the first year Francis Coppola made their Diamond Collection wines at their new home in Sonoma County. The Coppola family purchased the Sonoma winery in March, making it possible for them to crush right there on the premises when harvest was upon them. Having their very own winemaking facility not only heightens the quality of their wines, it fills them with a sense of pride and accomplishment, and fulfills their longtime goal of being able to give their hallmark Diamond wines a home.

Although Malbec is not all that well known in the U.S., it is common to blend small amounts of this varietal into Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines. In fact, this has been the tradition of great Bordeaux wines for centuries. More recently, Malbec has become Argentina’s most prolific wine export, bottled as its own impressive single varietal.

Malbec is less tannic than Cabernet, but more so than Merlot, giving it a powerful structure but more immediate drinkability. Their Malbec was grown in several coastal vineyards, which have an abundance of afternoon sun, little wind, and well-drained soils. Similar to Cabernet, this varietal exudes rich, dark fruit flavors of currants and cassis, but there is an inherent note of minerality that makes it distinctly different. This quality coupled with French oak aging underscores the fruit with an alluring spice element all its own.